Not so deep thoughts by donlever

[Carl Yagro]

That Landon DuPont should be what we are shooting for. He's a game breaker

This is what I've been seeing in the scouting reports. Kid is looking like he may be the 1st overall pick in 2027. Supposedly was a big Canucks fan... until QH got traded.

I know the new rules prohibit teams from winning the lottery more than twice in a five year span, but the odds that a team can win in consecutive years these days would be fairly difficult? Never mind how ownership, media, fans and players would react if this team was once again in last place next season.

[Topper]

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Hmmmm

[UWSaint]

People will soon recognize that he is a better, more dynamic player than Makar now that he is in Minnesota. It's always been true, but hasn't been recognized, and no effort was made here by the team, the fans, or the media to correct this slight. Nevertheless, he was prepared to be a superstar out of the spotlight if the franchise wasn't being run into the ground. Basic competence was all he seemed to be asking for; was it too much to expect?

Minnesota out of the spotlight? There is plenty of attention given to the team. The hockey culture is pervasive, and I think it is the only state that I'd say that about. It's called the State of Hockey for a reason. There's as much media given to the team as the Vikings, and far more than the Timberwolves or the Twins. The Cities bleed green and white and red and yellow (there really are too many colors in that design.....)

To be fair to your point, there is far less rumormongering and smartest-guy-in-the-room thing among the press. And the fans support the team, without entitlement. (I was there a couple weekends ago, two games, packed house both nights, major snowstorm didn't deter a soul -- or all souls deterred just had their tickets snapped up in resale). The stars are seen as stars -- not in a worshipping way, but in that way that true hockey talent is appreciated and supported. Not endlessly criticized for being 95% of perfect. And the lunch bucket guys? The fans love them. The attitude? Hockey is fun, hockey is awesome. Always glass half full; sure the fans are smart enough to know when they've got a small glass or a big one (this year, a big one), but there isn't the foreboding sense of doom even though this franchise hasn't even been to a Cup final in their 25 year history.

What's more, unlike many NHL arenas, this is not a fan base that's comprised of corporate ticket holders who could care less. Its not that the local business community (which includes Fortune 500 companies) doesn't buy its boxes; its that the suits who attend also love the game as fans.

My point here is not that it is right to be pollyannish with the team you follow, but that if "spotlight" is defined as rumormongering and gossip, then, well, no one prefers that environment except the rumormongers and gossipers. If "spotlight" is that your team is full of dysfunction from the top to the bottom, well, no one prefer that environment. But if the "spotlight" is no anonymity because hockey players aren't public figures, that's just not how it is in Minnesota. It is not a "retreat" to play there, but the cost of the spotlight is that people use their chance encounters to buy you a beer.

[UWSaint]

I’m starting to think that people who want to lay a portion of the blame on Hughes are people who have never operated in a low-level leadership capacity, that is bereft of authority, where key team members were difficult to the point of obstinance.

Agree. +1.

The only "blame" I cast on Hughes is similar to one I've cast at Tocchet (though I have a few more criticisms of Tocchet, as well as some compliments), which is that a truly great coach or captain might be able to solve the in room/personality dysfunctions that clearly affected the team (and individual play). But I also think its something that only a small percentage of coaches or captains could have successfully navigated. QH wasn't the captain that could do it, but I don't think there was a player on the team who was, and I would be surprised to find 5 guys in the league who could have solved the fissures. QH isn't to blame any more than a QB is to be blamed for not completing the the end-of-game Hail Mary after his defense imploded in the 4th quarter and gave up 17 points.

[Megaterio Llamas]

People will soon recognize that he is a better, more dynamic player than Makar now that he is in Minnesota. It's always been true, but hasn't been recognized, and no effort was made here by the team, the fans, or the media to correct this slight. Nevertheless, he was prepared to be a superstar out of the spotlight if the franchise wasn't being run into the ground. Basic competence was all he seemed to be asking for; was it too much to expect?

Minnesota out of the spotlight? There is plenty of attention given to the team. The hockey culture is pervasive, and I think it is the only state that I'd say that about. It's called the State of Hockey for a reason. There's as much media given to the team as the Vikings, and far more than the Timberwolves or the Twins. The Cities bleed green and white and red and yellow (there really are too many colors in that design.....)

To be fair to your point, there is far less rumormongering and smartest-guy-in-the-room thing among the press. And the fans support the team, without entitlement. (I was there a couple weekends ago, two games, packed house both nights, major snowstorm didn't deter a soul -- or all souls deterred just had their tickets snapped up in resale). The stars are seen as stars -- not in a worshipping way, but in that way that true hockey talent is appreciated and supported. Not endlessly criticized for being 95% of perfect. And the lunch bucket guys? The fans love them. The attitude? Hockey is fun, hockey is awesome. Always glass half full; sure the fans are smart enough to know when they've got a small glass or a big one (this year, a big one), but there isn't the foreboding sense of doom even though this franchise hasn't even been to a Cup final in their 25 year history.

What's more, unlike many NHL arenas, this is not a fan base that's comprised of corporate ticket holders who could care less. Its not that the local business community (which includes Fortune 500 companies) doesn't buy its boxes; its that the suits who attend also love the game as fans.

My point here is not that it is right to be pollyannish with the team you follow, but that if "spotlight" is defined as rumormongering and gossip, then, well, no one prefers that environment except the rumormongers and gossipers. If "spotlight" is that your team is full of dysfunction from the top to the bottom, well, no one prefer that environment. But if the "spotlight" is no anonymity because hockey players aren't public figures, that's just not how it is in Minnesota. It is not a "retreat" to play there, but the cost of the spotlight is that people use their chance encounters to buy you a beer.

No, Vancouver out of the spotlight. You missed my point, UW. Probably my fault, and it was a while ago now, but I was arguing that Minnesota was inside the hockey trail, and that Quinn would get more exposure and more support there. We're an outpost out here, way off the beaten track. I think it's harder for athletes to be fully recognized for their talents out here. Maybe I'm wrong.

[Cornuck]

We're an outpost out here, way off the beaten track. I think it's harder for athletes to be fully recognized for their talents out here. Maybe I'm wrong.

The "East Coast Bias" - where the hockey writers and everyone else don't stay up to watch west coast games? I'd say it's still a thing, but maybe not as much due to the many ways to watch games, streaming, condensed games, highlights, etc.

Even back-to-back president's trophys back in the day didn't really help, but today that gap may not be so great.

[MJN]

We're an outpost out here, way off the beaten track. I think it's harder for athletes to be fully recognized for their talents out here. Maybe I'm wrong.

The "East Coast Bias" - where the hockey writers and everyone else don't stay up to watch west coast games? I'd say it's still a thing, but maybe not as much due to the many ways to watch games, streaming, condensed games, highlights, etc.

Even back-to-back president's trophys back in the day didn't really help, but today that gap may not be so great.

Is it just me or are the highlight packages garbage now?

Realizing my knowledge of the league was greatly influenced by missing the Canucks highlights and having to watch the full set of highlights for the repeat so I ended up seeing all of the teams. Along with the narration of the crew back on U13 sports page adding context. Seems like they often skip the fights and they have to be looked up separately. I'm not sure how you manage to fk it up, but mission accomplished.

[Cornuck]

Most of the highlights I watch are the 'official' NHL ones - about 5 minutes per game. If you only watched these, you would think that there was no fighting in the league. :/

[UWSaint]

No, Vancouver out of the spotlight. You missed my point, UW. Probably my fault, and it was a while ago now, but I was arguing that Minnesota was inside the hockey trail, and that Quinn would get more exposure and more support there. We're an outpost out here, way off the beaten track. I think it's harder for athletes to be fully recognized for their talents out here. Maybe I'm wrong.

Sorry Megs. Misunderstood.

[donlever]

The squawking POHO was interviewed recently...

Some of his assessments for the abysmal & embarrassing product being thrust upon us:

Problem one: Playing to the system

“We don’t stick to our system,” he lamented.

That’s problematic, obviously. And it is clearly something he and his staff will have to dig into. Was it about the players they now have not getting what they’re being told? Or is it about how the system was being explained? Or did the system have no hope of success no matter who was in the lineup?

Uhhhh..

Well, the first theory to answer to this would be coaching issues.

You picked him bro.

The second is players.

You picked them bro.

Problem two: Attention to detail

“Our attention to detail has usually cost us goals, has cost us games,” he said.

Hmmm....

See my responses above.

Problem three: Shift length

“One part of our details is shift length. Our shifts are often too long. That leads to bad things, especially in the second period,” Rutherford said.

Often, he noted, the Canucks started well in the first, but fell behind as the game pressed on because they were overtired and weren’t recovered enough for their next shift.

Gotcha....

See coaching issues above...on you bro.

..and lmfao at the bolded.

Are you out of your fucking mind?

Problem four: Goaltending

“This year we’ve had games where we’ve played good enough to win analytically, and then our goaltending has been subpar,” Rutherford believes.

I see....

So, if I may summarize on that topic?

Heading into a season with an injury plagued, bound to fail starter (and, in another of a seemingly endless and ongoing list of bizarre choices, freshly extended for duration at 8 sheets and change - signed (by the way) BY YOU) seconded by an average (at best) career back up (at best) coming off a one off season (and then, ALSO inexplicably signed - BY YOU - to a ridiculous and shameful term and value extension) was a...

...bad...

...fucking...

...plan...

Which unfortunately seems to be our business model though???!!!???





Your team is a joke.

The fans have never given less of a fuck.

We are a laughing stock around the league.

This has been fucked up royally and then some and certainly in the conversation for the worst overall management of a pro sports franchise of all time.

I don't know what you make but presumably it's in the realm of millions per annum.

Good job bro, what a joke.

And ownership, while raising ticket prices once again, have yet to step up to the mic, assuage our fears and concerns and say a word about anything.

Hey, I have an idea, zip the old lip, stop flapping the gums and fix this shit.

I've been a fan of this team since the early '70's.

...and it's never been less enjoyable.

[Cousin Strawberry]

They all need to go. Every last motherfucking one of them.

It's mid 80s level incompetence

[dangler]

Well said Donald

[5thhorseman]

It is just so unbelievably insane that the current management still have jobs. They would have struggled to do worse. ..Speaks to the cheapness of the owner.

[Meds]

They all need to go. Every last motherfucking one of them.

It's mid 80s level incompetence

No Cuz, I think it’s actually worse.

[Megaterio Llamas]

You said it Donny. Well said.